Sponsored by the Gun Sense: For the Common Good

Part of the SMOS Living Justice Ministries

A group of St. Margaret of Scotland parishioners attended the 2025 Missouri Advocacy Day for gun violence prevention on April 1, 2025, in Jefferson City.  Parishioners met with both Republican and Democratic state legislators to have conversations about some of the current proposed legislation lawmakers are voting on this legislative session.  Among particular concerns are issues about common sense gun laws concerning minors and those with mental illness, allowing cities to establish open carry laws, weapons allowed in churches, and allowing federal gun laws to be enforced by local police.

The group participated in many in-depth and fruitful one-on-one discussions with different lawmakers from around the state.  You can read more about the day of advocacy via various media reports below:

• https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/missouri-parents-demand-action-on-school-safety/
• https://www.ksdk.com/video/news/local/moms-students-rally-against-gun-legislation-in-jefferson-city-missouri/63-e8055d7c-4b04-4faf-93d4-20be2efb1695
• https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/04/01/moms-demand-action-asks-state-lawmakers-let-cities-decide-open-carry/ 

The group presented the various lawmakers with copies of the letters written this past weekend by parishioners – and expressed many of the concerns heard from SMOS parish members.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to write a letter – know that your voice was heard! 80 letters were received from parishioners and delivered to over 50 legislators.

See parishioner Emily Schiltz interview on Fox 2 News below.

Some of this year’s legislative priorities include: 

• HB 495 – Turn control of St. Louis City police department over to the State rather than local jurisdiction (oppose)
• SB 147 – Expand our state’s existing “Shoot First” law even worse by encouraging people to use deadly force as a first option—instead of as a last resort (oppose)
• SB 74 – Limit local governments from taking action to combat gun violence in their own communities (oppose)

If you’re interested to get involved and learn more about the gun violence prevention efforts that the SMOS Gun Sense: For the Common Good team is working on – please sign up for our Gun Sense Flocknote by completing the form below to keep informed about our activities and the events we have planned in the upcoming months.